Tetanus
• As a very minimum every horse should be vaccinated against tetanus.
• Tetanus can be fatal disease caused by a bacteria which is frequently found in soil. It infects the horse by contaminated wounds, small scratches and can even infect foot abscesses.
• The signs associated with tetanus include a stiff legged gait, tense facial expressions, inability to eat properly and breathing difficulties. This often progresses to being unable to stand and death.
• The horse is the most susceptible of all domestic animals to this life-threatening disease. Once signs of the disease appear treatment is difficult and oftenfails.
• The tetanus vaccination can be combined with the strangles vaccination.
• Newborn foals should be protected against tetanus by an injection of tetanus antitoxin soon after birth. Their navel should be dipped or sprayed with an iodine/surgical spirit solution as soon as possible to prevent the tetanus bacteria from gaining entry via this route.

FOALS

ADULTS

First Vaccination

12weeks

Any Age

Second Vaccination

16weeks

4 weeks later

First Yearly Booster

16months

12 months later

Ongoing Protection

Yearly or as necessary

Yearly or as necessary

Pregnant Mares

2-4 weeks prior to foaling

Strangles (Streptococcus equi equi)
• A vaccination is available for this respiratory infection.
• Strangles is a bacterial infection that is transmitted between horses by direct contact, coughing and by shared feeding/grooming utensils and human contact.
• It is a serious infection is highly contagious and causes raised temperatures, coughing, thick nasal discharges, abscesses and reduced appetite.
• Between 5 and 20% of horses who get the infection develop complications which can often be fatal.
• The vaccine reduces the severity of symptoms and decreases the spread of the disease.
• The incidence in this area for Strangles is low but is recommended for horses that travel or show regularly.